Operating mechanism



p 2, 1944. G. P. CLUTE 2,358,146

OPERATING MECHANISM Filed Nov. 20, 1942 Inventor":

Gerald PClute,

His Attorney.

Patented Sept. 12, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE eral Electric Company York a corporation of New Application November 20, 1942, Serial No. 466,323

7 Claims. (Cl. 20050) My invention relates to improvements in operating mechanisms and more particularly operating mechanisms for electric switches which have to be actuated in a predetermined sequence.

For safety of operating and maintenance personnel, and also equipment, it is highly inportant to isolate a circuit before working on it. For greater safety, it is also customary to ground the circuit after it has been disconnected from its source of supply. Where there is space available for swinging a disconnecting switch blade long enough to provide the clearance necessary for the voltage of the circuit in question, the isolating and grounding can readily be accomplished by a single disconnecting switch. However, in certain cases such, for example, as metal-enclosed switchgear, the space limitations sometimes require the use of two switches in series conducting relation. When only one disconnecting switch is used, the usual interlock with the circuit breaker is such that the disconnecting switch cannot be used to make or break the circuit. In other words, the disconnecting switch must be opened after the opening of the circuit breaker and then may be moved to the grounding position from which it must be moved to the closed position before the circuit breaker can be closed This circuit breaker and disconnecting switch interlock would be valueless when two disconnecting switches in series conducting relation are used unless they are so interlocked that the isolating switch must be opened before the grounding switch can be opened and moved to the grounding position and the grounding switch must be returned to the closed position before the isolating switch is closed. Without such interlocking betweenthe isolating switch and the grounding switch, it would be necessary to provide not only suitable interlocking between the circuit breaker and the isolating switch but also between the circuit breaker and the grounding switch. This would result in a complicated and expensive interlocking mechanism.

An object of my invention is to provide a relatively simple interlocking arrangement for two operating mechanisms such as are used in operating electric switches whereby the operating mechanisms can be actuated only in a predeter mined sequence. Another object of my invention is to provide a mechanical interlocking arrangement for the operating mechanisms of two switches in series conducting relation whereby one switch must be opened before the other switch can be opened and the latter switch must be closed before the first switch can be closed. A

further object of my invention is to provide a relatively simple and economical interlocking arrangement for a plurality of operating mechanisms, These and other objects of my invention will appear in more detail hereinafter.

In accordance with my invention, I interlock two corresponding movable members of the operating mechanisms by a longitudinally extensible transversely rigid member so connected and arranged as to require the operation of the mechanisms in a predetermined sequence.

My invention will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawing, Fig. l is a side elevation of metal-clad switchgear and operating mechanism therefor embodying my invention, part of the metal enclosure being broken away for clearness. Fig. 2 is a view in perspective showing the two switches and the operating mechanisms therefor shown in Fig. 1 with both of the switches shown in the circuit closed position. Fig. 3 is a side elevation partly in section showing the relative positions of certain of the parts, including the interconnection between the switch operating mechanisms, with both of the switches closed. Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing in full lines the positions of certain of the parts when the upper switch is open and the lowerswitch is closed, and in dotted lines when both switches are open.

As shown in Figs, 1 and 2, two disconnecting switches, designated for simplicity by their movable circuit controlling members, the blades 6 and l, are mounted vertically one over the other in a metal enclosure 4 shown in part in Fig. 1. The blade I is pivotally supported on a suitably insulated hinge terminal post 8 and the blade 6 is pivotally supported on a suitably insulated hinge post 9 which also functions as a contact post for the blade I. The blade 6 engages a suitably insulated contact terminal post [0. It will be understood that the circuit to be controlled comes into the hinge terminal post 8 and goes thence through the blade I, the hinge post 9, the blade 6 and the terminal post H] to a circuit breaker not shown. In the path of movement of the blade 1, therei a grounded contact post II by which the circuit incoming to the post 8 can be connected to ground through the blade 1. upon suitable clockwise movement-thereof.

For individually actuating the blades 6 and 1 to their respective circuit controlling positions, each is provided with its own or separate operating mechanism. As shown, th operating mechanism for each is the same since this tends to simplicity of structure and economy in cost. These operating mechanisms for the blades 6 and l comprise respectively the rotatable members or shafts 60 and 10 which are supported in suitable bearings 12. The blade 6 is connected to its operating shaft 60 through a crank 6|, rigidly positioned on the shaft and a suitably insulated preferably adjustable link 62 which is pivotally connected to both the blade and the crank. Likewise, the blade 1 is connected to its operating shaft 70 through a crank H, rigidly positioned on the shaft, and a suitably insulated preferably adjustable link 12 which is pivotally connected to both the blade and the shaft. For turning the shafts B and 10, they are respectively provided with rigidly positioned operating cranks 63, 13, shown as of the socketed type into which an operating bar [3 may be inserted from the front of the metal enclosure 4. For limiting rotation of the shafts 60 and in the switch closing and opening directions, they are respectively provided with stop members 64, 14. These members respectively engage adjustably positioned stops B5, during the switch closing movement and adjustably positioned stops 66, 16 during the switch opening movement, including the grounding position for switch I.

although the operation may at times include only the opening and closing of 6. In order to insure only this sequence, I interlock the switch operating mechanisms by a longitudinally extensible transversely rigid member such as a telescoping link M which interconnects the rotatable elements or shafts 6B and 10 through arms, such as cranks 61, ll, respectively, suitably positioned on these shafts.

The construction and arrangement ,of parts is such thatwhen both of the switches 6 and 1 arecloscd, the link I4 has its minimum or thrust transmitting length and forms with the crank 61, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, an overset toggle for preventing clockwise rotation of the shaft 10 until the shaft has been turned clockwise through a predetermined angular range from the stop the stop 66, the position shown in full lines in Fig. 4. This opens the switch 6. In this position, the link M has its maximum length. The shaft '10 can then be turned clockwise through its angular range from stop 15 to stop 16, the'position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4.-

This opens the switch 1 and grounds the circuit at thepost H. In this position, the link I4 and the arm form an overset toggle and the link again has its minimum length for preventing counterclockwise rotation of the shaft 60 until the shaft 10 has been turned counterclockwise through ,a predetermined angular range from the stop E5 to the stop 15. This turns the switch 1 from the grounding position to the closed circuit position. The shaft 6!) can now be turned counbular type. Thus, as shown, this link comprises an outer tubular element l5 within which is slidably mounted another tubular element or rod IS. The outer element I5 is pivotally connected to the crank 61 at IT. The inner tubular element It is pivotally secured to the crank H at [B by a preferably adjustable connection. As shown, thi connection comprises a bearing block [9 into which the element It extends and is secured by the pivot pin [8. The bearing block is in turn mounted between the arms of the crank 11 on the pin l8. For adjustment purposes, the connection includes an externally threaded tubular member 20 which surrounds the lower end of the inner telescopic element l6 and which is slidable in the block I9. The lower end of the adjustable abutment 20 is slotted for adjustable reception of the pivot pin I 8. Threaded on to the adjustable abutment 20, one on each side of the block l9, are two clamping nuts 2| and 22 which can be turned and locked to vary the position of the abutment 20 relatively to the pivot l8 whereby to change the minimum or thrust transmitting length of the link I 4. Obviously other constructions of the link M are adapted to the carrying out of my invention as long as such constructions embody the change in length feature from a minimum force transmitting length to a lost motion maximum length and return to minimum length. a

While I have shown and described my invention in considerable detail, I do not desire to be limited to the exact arrangement shown but seek to cover in the appended claims all those modifications that fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In combination. two rotatably mounted spaced elements each provided with a crank, means for effecting angular movement of each oi said elements, and means for preventing angular movement of one of said elements until the other element has been turned through a predetermined angular range comprising a longitudinally extensible transversely rigid link member interconnecting said cranks, the crank on said other element and said link member when at its minimum length forming an overset toggle for preventing the rotation of said one element. f

2. In combination, two switches each having a movable circuit controlling member, separate rotatable'members, mechanisms for individually actuating the respective circuit controlling members of said switches to different circuit controlling positions, each of said mechanisms compristerclockwise through its angular range from the stop 56 to the stop 65 to close the switch 6.

The details of construction of the link l4 may be varied considerably but in accordancewith my invention, this link must, in certain positions of the parts, as shown, for example in Fig, 3

i and in the dotted lines of Fig. 4, be capable of transmitting a force without change in length.

In the arrangement illustrated, this is accomplished by making the link M of a telescoping tuing a rotatable member, and means for prevent ing the actuation of the circuit controlling member of one switch. from one circuit controlling position to another circuit controlling position until the circuit controlling member of the other switch is in a predetermined circuit controlling position comprising a longitudinally extensible transversely rigid member interconnecting said rotatable members and forming with one of the rotatable members an overset toggle for preventing actuation of one of the circuit controlling members when the other circuit controlling member is in a predetermined position.

,3. In combination. two switches each having a movable circuit controlling member, separate operating mechanisms for individually actuating the respective circuitcontrolling members of said switches to different'circuitcontrolling positions,

each of said mechanisms comprising a rotatable element provided with an arm, and means for preventing the actuation oi the circuit controlling member of one switch from one circuit controlling position to another circuit controlling position until the circuit controlling member of the other switch is in a predetermined circuit controlling position comprising a longitudinally telescoping transversely rigid link interconnecting the arms on saidrotatable elements said link having a given thrust transmitting length and forming an overset toggle with one of said arms when both switches are in one circuit controlling position and with the other of said arms when both switches are in a different circuit controlling position.

4. In combination, two switches each having a movable circuit controlling member, said circuit controlling members being arranged in one closed circuit position to be in series conducting relation with each other, separate operating mechanisms for individually actuating the respecttive circuit controlling members from said closed circuit position to other circuit controlling positions, each of said mechanisms comprising a rotatable element, means for limiting the rotation of each of said elements in one direction when the respective circuit controlling members reach the closed circuit position, means for limiting the rotation of each of said elements in the reverse direction, an arm on each of said elements, and means for preventing the movement of the circuit controlling member of one switch from the closed circuit position while the circuit controlling member of the other switch is in the closed circuit position comprising a telescoping link interconnecting said arms, the construction and arrangement of parts being such that when.

both circuit controlling members are in the closed circuit position said link has its minimum length and forms with the arm of one rotatable element an overset toggle for preventing rotation of the other element in one direction until the one element has been turned through its rotation limit in said one direction.

5. In combination, two rotatably mounted spaced elements each provided with a crank, means for effecting angular movement of each of said elements, and means for preventing movement of one of said elements from a predetermined position while the other of said elements is in a predetermined position arranged to permit movement of said one element after said other element has been moved a predetermined amount comprising a lost motion link interconnecting said cranks, said link having a given thrust transmitting length and forming an overset toggle with the crank of the other of said elements while they are in said predetermined positions. v

6. In combination, two substantially parallel spaced shafts each provided with a crank, means for limiting the angular movement of each of said shafts through a predetermined range comprising two spaced stops for each shaft, and

means for preventing the turning of one of said shafts away from one of its blocked positions while the other shaft is blocked by one of its stops comprising a telescoping link interconnecting said cranks, said link having a given thrust transmitting length and forming an overset toggle with the crank of the other of said shafts while each is blocked by said one of its respectively associated stops.

7. In combination, two rotatably mounted spaced elements each provided with an arm, means for stopping each of said elements in two different predetermined positions, means for preventing the rotation of each of said elements from one of its two different positions while the other element is in one of its two different positions comprising a lost motion link interconnecting said arms, said link having a given thrust transmitting length and forming an overset toggle with one arm or the other when the element associated therewith is in a given one of its two different positions.

GERALD P. CLUTE. 

